University Secretary's Department Academic Board

Academic Progress Appeals

Appealing to the Academic Board Against a Decision Made by a Course Unsatisfactory Progress Committee (CUPC)

This information is for students whose enrolment has been terminated, suspended, or made subject to certain conditions, due to unsatisfactory academic progress and who wish to lodge an appeal against this decision.

This information is detailed in the Academic Progress Review policy and procedure in the University of Melbourne Policy Library.

What does termination of enrolment mean?

Termination of enrolment means: forced cessation of study in a particular course for an indefinite period. In other words, a student whose enrolment is terminated is not permitted to continue their course.

Student Visa holders (international students) whose enrolment is terminated will be reported to the Department of Education (DEEWR) unless they lodge a successful appeal to the Academic Board or to the Ombudsman.

I want to appeal against the decision of the CUPC. How do I do that?

Please read and follow the instructions below carefully.

Step 1. - Identify the grounds for your appeal
Appeals to the Academic Board must be based on one or more of the following grounds:

  1. a procedural irregularity has occurred;
  2. there is new information that could not reasonably have been provided at or prior to the decision, and that will probably have affected the decision made under this Statute; or
  3. the decision was manifestly excessive, or unfair in the circumstances.

Step 2 - Draft a Letter of Appeal

If you believe that you have grounds for an appeal then write a letter which:

  1. states the grounds for appeal as outlined above,
  2. includes as much information and detail as possible, and
  3. where appropriate, provides relevant evidence supporting the grounds on which you wish to appeal against the decision. Evidence may include documents such as medical certificates, letters of support, travel documents, insurance documents etc. Copies of these documents must be certified.

We suggest that you use this template to help draft your Letter of Appeal.

Step 3 - Contact the Student Advocacy Service

The University has a single funded independent advocacy service , the Student Union Advocacy Service (SUAS), which is directly funded from the Student Services and Amenities Fee. The service is provided through the University of Melbourne Student Union (UMSU) and is available to all students: graduate and undergraduate, on or off the Parkville campus.

You are strongly advised to contact a student advocate as soon as possible.

Student Union Advocacy Service
T: +61 3 8344 6546
E: suashelp@union.unimelb.edu.au

Other services are also available and can be found on the University’s Student Services Finder:
http://services.unimelb.edu.au/finder

Step 4 - Submit your Letter of Appeal and supporting documents

Your Letter of Appeal must be submitted to the University Secretary’s Department within 20 working days of receiving notification of the CUPC’s decision from your Faculty, School or Student Centre.

Your Letter of Appeal and supporting documents should be emailed to the Appeal Committee Secretary or sent/delivered to the following address:

Secretary,
Academic Progress Appeals
University Secretary’s Department
Level 6, Raymond Priestley Building
University of Melbourne
VIC 3010

IMPORTANT: Provided that your Faculty has no objections, you should continue to attend classes and submit the requisite assignments until your appeal outcome is decided.

Step 5 - Attend the Appeal Hearing
If the Academic Board is satisfied that you have demonstrated grounds for appeal then an appeal hearing will be conducted by the Appeals Committee. You will be provided with a report from the CUPC, outlining the reasons for its decision, which will also be submitted to the Appeal Committee.  The Secretary of the Appeals Committee will notify you of the time, date and location of your appeal hearing. You are welcome to bring one person to support you at the hearing (however that person may not be a legal practitioner).

The hearing will last approximately 20 minutes and will be attended by three members of the Academic Board and at least one representative of your Faculty or School. At the hearing you will be given the opportunity to state the grounds for appeal to the panel. The Secretary of the Appeal Committee will notify you of the appeal outcome within five working days.

For more information about the appeal process

Please refer to the Academic Progress Policy and the Academic Progress Review Procedure made under Statute 11.4 – Unsatisfactory progress. For full details of the procedures for Appeals to the Academic Board refere to Appeals to the Academic Board Procedure in the University of Melbourne Policy Library. You can also contact the Academic Appeals Committee secretary, Jeremy Cohen on (03) 83447529.

Enquiries may also be directed to the Academic Secretary on (03) 8344 7527.

 

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